DIVERSITY,
EQUITY &
INCLUSION

DIVERSITY, EQUITY
AND INCLUSION

Hands crossing together

OUR JOURNEY

For today’s youth, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has become a requirement rather than an obstacle to overcome. Scouts Canada is committed to living up to its values by being a diverse and inclusive organization that is welcoming to all Canadians.

In September 2020, Scouts Canada made a commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion while also recognizing that to date, as an organization, we have not pursued inclusion with the diligence and passion we should have.

Since then we have taken a number of actions to progress this important work:

  • Hired a Director of Diversity & Inclusion who reports directly to the CEO to support Scouts Canada in this pivotal work.
  • Formed an official working Group of the Board of Governors to develop a holistic diversity & inclusion strategy.
  • Recognized and celebrated Black Canadian Excellence during Black History Month.
  • Listened and learned from like-minded organizations who have embarked on similar journeys: Scouts New Zealand, the Rotary Club, Girl Guides of Canada.
  • Acknowledged the harm we have caused Indigenous peoples and made a commitment to pursuing authentic and meaningful reconciliation.
  • Developed fun and engaging programming Section Scouters and youth can utilize to start their own journey to Reconciliation.

Scouts Canada’s Commitment to Reconciliation

Scouts Canada’s Commitment to Reconciliation

We have come to recognize that through intentional and unintentional actions and inactions, Scouting has caused harm to Canada’s Indigenous peoples.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report identified Scouts Canada as an organization with a presence in the residential school system. In addition, as an organization that benefits from land-based programming, it is important that we face our movement’s history, how that impacts our relationship to the original stewards of this land, and what that signifies to diverse Canadians.

That is why in June 2021 Scouts Canada agreed that in order to truly be diverse and inclusive in our Canadian context, and as an organization centered on land-based programming, it is critical that we begin to develop our appropriate place in the Reconciliation journey with Indigenous peoples.

While our journey begins with awareness of the Reconciliation movement in Canada, any tactical steps to move forward in an authentic manner will require us to co-create our path with Indigenous communities to model a mutually respectful relationship. We recognize that listening, learning, and honest reflection early in this process is essential to earning the trust required to be sincere participants in the Reconciliation movement.

STORIES FROM BLACK CANADIANS ON
EXCELLENCE AND EXPERIENCING
OUTDOOR CULTURE

2020-2021 saw us celebrate the contributions and excellence of Black Canadians

THE ROAD AHEAD

Our journey begins by building up our organizations self-awareness to first identify where we truly stand:
through auditing, listening to our people, and investigating our past. This is underway as we support our
organization's learning and familiarity with conversations around Reconciliation in Canada, and what that
means for each of us. While knowledge and awareness increases our maturity, we must co-create the path
forward with Indigenous peoples. Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action,
mutual respect and trustworthy relationships are a key part of moving forward. We therefore embark on
listening, learning, and honest reflection early in this process to positively contribute to the Reconciliation
journey in this shared place we call home.  

Diversity and Inclusion flowchart

Learn more about Scouts Canada’s commitment to Diversity & Inclusion here.